Improved mechanism for operating semaphoric signals



W. BOYD.

Marine Signal.

No; 20,402. Patented June 1, 1858.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVED MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SEMAPHORIC SIGNALS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 20,402, dated June 1,1858.

ifo @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BOYD, of the city of Washington, Dist-rietof Columbia, have invented a new and Improved Day Marine Telegraph, tobe called the Lavallette Telegraph, and which is designed forcoinmunicating between vessels at sea and between vessels and forts orlight-houses and other stations on the coast, by means of which orderscan be issued, information asked, Wants made known, and all the phrasesnow in use for marine purposes communicated with much greater facilityand in much less time than by any means heretofore employed, therebydispensing with the use of preparatory signalflags and the delay andtrouble of hoisting them, as well as the tedious and slow process ofbending numerous flags on halyards and the uncertainty of understandingthe cornmunication under the most favorable circumstances.

The nature of my invention consists in theV combination and arrangementsof parts for actuating three conical flags stretched on frames, theircolors respectively being red, white, and blue. Each can be movedirrespective of the others by means of a pulley and cord or theirequivalents, and each moves on its axle independent of the action ormovement of the other two flags. By means of a sliding pole Workingingrooves of a frame the flags can be hoisted and lowered at pleasure.

To enable mariners and others to use my said invention, I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing,making a part of this specification.

The mode of operating my said signal-ags Nos. 1, 2, and 3, as telegraphsigns for numerals, letters, words, or sentences, is as follows:

One revolution of the llags (Nos. 1, 2, and 3) indicatesten arithmeticalfigures, as well as the affirmative andthe negative, so as to adapt themto Mariets or any of the signal codes now in use. Flag No. 1, colorblue, its apex pointing upward, indicates figure 1,; to the right, 2;downward, 3; to the left, 4. Flag No. 2, color red, apex pointingupward, figure 5; to the right, 6; downward, 7; to the left, S. Flag No.3, white, apex pointing upward, figure 9; downward, O; to the right,affirmative; to the left, negative.

The manner of operating the said signals may be varied to suit anyunderstanding previously made, so that the communication or interchangemay be privat-e.

I do not claim, broadly, signaling by revolving signs or flags whosepositions repre-x sent certain figures, letters, or numbers, but

I do claim- The particular mechanism described and shown for operatingsuch signs or flags when combined and arranged substantially as setforth.

WILLIAM BOYD.

Vitnesses:

A. F. MOULDEN, WM. SMALLWOOD.

